Skip Content
AST Scholarships

Financial support for tauira may be just an application away, thanks to a suite of scholarships and awards being offered by the Aotearoa Scholarship Trust (AST).

The trust was established in 2010 and has so far provided more than $500,000 of funding to more than 100 successful recipients nationwide.

In 2017, there will be a continued focus on supporting Māori and Pasifika educational excellence through these scholarships, with awards covering education, social services, arts, kaupapa Māori and indigenous masters study.

Fourteen award categories are available for the scholarships, offering a total of $67,500 for up to 17 tauira undertaking masters, degree or diploma level studies.

Scholarships range from $2500 for Angitū, Te Arawhānui and Toi Māori tauira, to $5000 for each of five Memorial Awards available.

These memorial awards acknowledge the leaders Dr. Diggeress Te Kanawa, Tāne Taylor, Mike Watson, Dr Buck Nin and Rewi Panapa and the contributions they made to Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, education, the arts and our communities.

AST chairman and Tumukahuroa Hone Paul says the criteria to apply for the scholarships has been designed to support educational excellence demonstrated by tauira who are actively contributing to whānau transformation.

"Each year, recipients are selected based on their high achieving determination and dedication to their studies, despite what life has to offer," he says.

 "This shows in many of the stories shared, from walking miles or hitching to get to class to follow their dreams, to students who are the first in their whānau to gain a degree. There are so many wonderful heart-warming stories of life and study to hear when we stop and listen."

Tauira who are great role models in the community and who are making a difference in te ao Māori  are encouraged to apply.

AST application forms and information will be available online from April 18 and applications close on May 26. Scholarship winners will be announced in July. 

Email ast@twoa.ac.nz for more information.


 Back to news & events

Published On: April 12, 2017

Article By:



Other Articles

  • 31 July 2025

    Whānau fuelled success at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Nadia MacDonald’s journey through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Diploma in Small Business and Project Management highlights the power of whānau support, Māori values, and practical learning. Discover how she balanced work, study, and parenting to achieve success and uplift her community.

  • 24 July 2025

    Tamariki once were cherished

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Te Manawahoukura Rangahau Centre releases Taku Waipiataata, Taku Hei Tāwhiri, a powerful report calling for a revival of gentle, respectful Māori parenting. Discover how tūpuna child-rearing practices can transform whānau wellbeing and uplift future generations.

  • 24 July 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa chief executive Evie O’Brien announced as Te Kura Toroa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa celebrates its 40th anniversary by bestowing chief executive Evie O’Brien with the enduring title of Te Kura Toroa. Discover the cultural significance of this new role and its reflection of leadership, kaitiakitanga, and Māori values.

  • 23 July 2025

    Māori musician's reo Māori journey leads to wānanga kaiako role

    Jordyn Rapana, known as Jordyn With A Why, shares her inspiring journey of learning te reo Māori to raise her tamariki in a reo-speaking home. From immersion study to becoming a kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, discover how music, whānau, and culture shaped her path.